Ray Eston Smith
02-09-2009, 03:39 PM
Did Fortinbras ever try to exact revenge on the man who killed his father? Never. The cowardly dog waited until his father’s killer was dead, then thinking Denmark to be “weak and out of joint,” and without the knowledge of his uncle, the ailing King of Norway, he raised an army of “lawless resolutes for food and diet.” Think about what such an army does to innocent civilians along its route of march, whether it be in Poland, Denmark, or Norway itself.
Thirty years before, the fathers of Fortinbras and Hamlet had made an agreement that the son of the victor in their duel would inherit a certain piece of land. Now Fortinbras was on his way to dishonor his father’s word by reneging on that agreement and recovering that land by “strong hand and terms compulsatory.”
When his uncle found out about his nefarious plans, Fortinbras was easily diverted to a worthless plot of land in Poland, where he “bravely” sent 20,000 men to their graves for his “honor.” Polonius had called the news of that Polish diversion a “great feast.” Showing no remorse for his own great feast, His Royal Hindness was shocked at “so many Princes” killed in Death’s feast at the Danish court.
When Princes Meet
Words and Music by Tom Paxton
When princes meet the poor little men must tremble.
In judgment seat,
They speak of their wars while great armies assemble.
Their armor shines to shame the sun
They move like gods they do resemble
All bow their necks to iron feet when princes meet
When castles rise the poor little men must build them.
To charm the skies,
They throw up the turrets where the great lords will them.
They dig the dungeons from the earth,
And their brothers, wives and children fill them.
All those below cast down their eyes when castles rise.
God save the king! For he grants us leave to serve him.
His praises sing! And grant that we may deserve him.
Who counts the cost? The cattle and men to be lost?
'Tis no small thing to serve a king
When kings make war, the poor little men must fight them.
They must do more,
They hold out their necks for great lord's swords to bite them.
The sons of the lords cleave through their ranks,
In the hopes some warrior king might knight them.
It's what the poor little men are for, when kings make war
Hide your cattle in the woods, Francois,
The lord is looking your way.
Hide your women and your goods, Francois,
They're coming around to make you pay.
Hide if you can, poor little man, think of a prayer to say.
Hide if you can, poor little man, think of a prayer to say.
God save the king! For he grants us leave to serve him.
His praises sing! And grant that we may deserve him.
Who counts the cost? The cattle and men to be lost?
'Tis no small thing to serve a king.
So Mr Paxton won’t sue me for infringing his copyright,
I include a link where you can buy his song for 99 cents:
http://www.amazon.com/When-Princes-Meet/dp/B001282R6Y
(I think it has a very catchy tune.)
Thirty years before, the fathers of Fortinbras and Hamlet had made an agreement that the son of the victor in their duel would inherit a certain piece of land. Now Fortinbras was on his way to dishonor his father’s word by reneging on that agreement and recovering that land by “strong hand and terms compulsatory.”
When his uncle found out about his nefarious plans, Fortinbras was easily diverted to a worthless plot of land in Poland, where he “bravely” sent 20,000 men to their graves for his “honor.” Polonius had called the news of that Polish diversion a “great feast.” Showing no remorse for his own great feast, His Royal Hindness was shocked at “so many Princes” killed in Death’s feast at the Danish court.
When Princes Meet
Words and Music by Tom Paxton
When princes meet the poor little men must tremble.
In judgment seat,
They speak of their wars while great armies assemble.
Their armor shines to shame the sun
They move like gods they do resemble
All bow their necks to iron feet when princes meet
When castles rise the poor little men must build them.
To charm the skies,
They throw up the turrets where the great lords will them.
They dig the dungeons from the earth,
And their brothers, wives and children fill them.
All those below cast down their eyes when castles rise.
God save the king! For he grants us leave to serve him.
His praises sing! And grant that we may deserve him.
Who counts the cost? The cattle and men to be lost?
'Tis no small thing to serve a king
When kings make war, the poor little men must fight them.
They must do more,
They hold out their necks for great lord's swords to bite them.
The sons of the lords cleave through their ranks,
In the hopes some warrior king might knight them.
It's what the poor little men are for, when kings make war
Hide your cattle in the woods, Francois,
The lord is looking your way.
Hide your women and your goods, Francois,
They're coming around to make you pay.
Hide if you can, poor little man, think of a prayer to say.
Hide if you can, poor little man, think of a prayer to say.
God save the king! For he grants us leave to serve him.
His praises sing! And grant that we may deserve him.
Who counts the cost? The cattle and men to be lost?
'Tis no small thing to serve a king.
So Mr Paxton won’t sue me for infringing his copyright,
I include a link where you can buy his song for 99 cents:
http://www.amazon.com/When-Princes-Meet/dp/B001282R6Y
(I think it has a very catchy tune.)